Well, Norway makes me proud in many ways. I don’t know why, because I have absolutely no connection to Norway besides an ancestor of mine fighting with the Normans in the Battle of Hastings. And the Normans were only slightly “Norsemen”, and my ancestor was not a Norman, but a Breton adventurer who got some land in Yorkshire county for fighting with William and fathered the first “Stansfield”.

But Norway seems sane to me somehow, and civilized, and a great example of how a country should handle itself.

This video, made by a humorous musical band, is a part of a humorous satire of their own country’s O/Ws. They refer to Norway because it is far away from the band’s country. The plot of this part of the satire is a non-existent possibility of these two countries geographic limits conflict invented by the government in order to control the masses.

That sure seemed like a quick and easy – and dismissive – brush-off. 😉 It seems to me that Ferenc feels strongly about his criticism of Norway, in spite of all the apparent good features of the country.

Since it’s no longer 17 Mai, maybe you should give him the courtesy of addressing his concerns. JMO

It’s true, but also the taxes are very high. So, as long that I regularly pay my taxes, why should I not enjoy a welfare state?

2) “Norway is the world’s biggest arms exporter in relation to its population”.

Maybe, but those guns are not used in Norway. Except that maniac named Breivik, otherwise Norway is a safe country. Never felt in danger 3 years there.

3)“Norway is the world’s third largest exporter of oil and gas, which provide more than a third of government revenues.” … “with 0.1% of the world’s population, Norway emits 0.3% of greenhouse gas emissions; if oil exports are included, the figure may be about 2%.”

True, but oil, gas and timber are Norway’s best natural resources. They simply HAVE TO exploit this resources, why not? What else would you think Norway can export? Oranges? Bananas? It’s normal to focus on oil industry, but also true is that government to the best possible to protect the environment. Take a deep breath in Stavanger, capital of oil and gas and then try the same in London. You’ll see the result.

4)The above means that the greenhouse gas emissions due to each Norwegian is about 2000% higher than the average due to each people in the world.

This is outrageus! Norway’s oil and gas industry is usually planned to be far away from inhabited communities. The quality of water and air is a real bless for lungs. It’s true that the ozone layer is affected, but the pollution champions are China, Russia and United States, not Norway.

5. “the government’s pension fund” … “Regarded by many as a model of ethical investment, its portfolio is more like a dirty list of the world’s worst corporations”

I cannot even laugh when I’ve read this…This is so leftist, really! Allow me please to explain you: that pension fund exist, everybody is paying taxes to it, including shark corporations. It’s 100% legal to have that fund.
Norwegian government pension fund is the main reason elderly people can enjoy a decent life after decades of work.

One more thing. I’ve wrote this post without patriotism. I’ve wrote this post with realism and honesty. I’m Romanian, not Norwegian. But I’ve lived for 3 years in Norway and it’s normal to reveal the truth about it. Especially on 17th of May, the National Day.

Dragos, I forgot I wanted to reply to what you said about #4. I think what Ferenc wrote about the greenhouse emissions due to each Norwegian being 2000% higher than average basically means that for each person in Norway there is 20 times more (i.e. 2000% higher) emissions from that country than for the average person in the world. Does that make sense? (And he can correct me if I’m the one who has misunderstood. ;))

My dear Dragos, if I remember right, you yourself considered him the best choice we had. Besides, when he first took office didn’t he salvage the country from the brink of disaster? (Brought about by The Right, mind you. :P)

BUT, I’m out of my depth when it comes to politics so I won’t try to debate it with you (unlike the critics of Scn, most of whom debate out of ignorance ;)). I’ll leave it to you pundits when it comes to politics. (And may the liberals reign! :D)

I could not get around to comment earlier, because, among other things, I’m helping with taking care of my sister after her surgeries.

Since I was a teenager, I figure it out that the well-being of human systems (e.g.: country-state, business, etc.) are based to some degree, more than enough times to high degree, on O/Ws. Since teenager, being aware of, figuring out, and pointing out these situations (to my own and other groups) caused me a lot of problems. Due to the above, when I went to the Co$, I found a lot of LRH’s goodies; but, also, I was able to observe, figure out, and not take part of the Co$ outpoints.

Robert Monroe (founder of the Monroe Institute) has made a wise observation about the life system on this planet. He calls it a “predatory system”. This implies that O/Ws are inherent of the life system.

There is a group of biological, psychological, mental and etc. mechanism which compels people to withhold, deny and not take responsibility for O/Ws which somehow benefit their own well-being or their group(s)’ well-being; at the same time it compels people to be at easy at pointing out and exaggerating O/Ws of other groups. This group of mechanism also compels people to be delusional about the holistic well-being they are experiencing (as opposed to the delusional holistic well-being, the real holistic well-being is the well-being which would be obtained without making any O/Ws).

I’ll speak for myself and say that I was just trying to get Geir’s take on what Ferenc had posted. I have no idea what country Ferenc lives in – could be Hungary or some Spanish speaking country (at least I know he speaks both languages). But I got the idea from his post that there might be something personally important to him on the subject of what he called Norway’s “O/W’s”. And I thought he deserved a more direct response from Geir. Maybe my coaxing was a bit too goading. 😉

Geir has made of himself a big big fat target with a big red bulls eye right on his forehead. He provides a free venue for free thinkers and other-wise kinds of thinkers, he doesn’t censor, and he doesn’t hide neither from people, ideologies, churches, or the rest of us who happen by under any number of aliases and nom de plumes. We all know where he lives and works which is more than I can say for the rest of us. Geir does this because he is innately strong willed and good and his openness lends credibility of which he has plenty. He’s doing a public service for no particular reward save any satisfaction he gets, and for this he routinely takes a bashing and I don’t mean because someone has a different opinion, but when people cannot argue with reason, they resort to arguing with illogical fallacies including accusing him with every kind and sort of filthy name calling. Sometimes it’s like kids joyriding in a car with paintballs, they just shoot anything that presents itself. Some commenters here write like that though usually not. Most commenters on this blog are very civilized so I don’t mean the generality in that way.

My yup was a generality making me yet again an SP and it wasn’t to the Norway comment, it was to deE, but it fits.

Blogging as my real self and not hiding was one of the first steps of my own decompression and healing from the utter cloak of secret-meat-sauce garbage that Scientology peddles for spiritual freedom. Years later, I realize better how correct that decision has been.

Chris: Blogging as my real self and not hiding was one of the first steps of my own decompression and healing from the utter cloak of secret-meat-sauce garbage that Scientology peddles for spiritual freedom.

DeE: Boy you said it. What a relief it was for me too. Then, after my declare and it was posted on a blog it changed everything. I was truly free in this wonderful world of challenge and fun. You know when you are honest with yourself, it feels good to do the right thing. I’m happy it worked out for you too. Yes, it does take some time for the scio webs to dissolve and realize they are no longer there, binding you. 🙂

Geir, you and Chris are doing the same kind of thing you condemned others for in your post on the “Lynch Mob and the Creepy Church” – i.e. being judgmental without having all the data. It’s hypocritical of both of you.

And as it concerns me personally, it’s disingenuous as well since I have confided in you both about my reasons for being under the radar, which has to do with what is best not even for myself but certain others, and in any case is my personal choice – another thing you claim to uphold. I’m disappointed in you, Geir.

Why would that be? To me, that just sounds like a defensive remark. I would not be shooting any differently than I do now. And several people who post here know who I am and my background. People I thought I could trust

“Like you do. Think about it”.

If you’re trying to introvert me, you haven’t because I see it as just more bad form on your part.

Dragos, how can I attack and hack you when you’re standing there in the sunshine in a sunny yellow shirt (a color I love)? 🙂 Besides, I only hack up people who deserve a little hacking once in a while. 😛 And furthermore, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” – and is no less thorny. 😉

To be honest, I’m not so curious what your real name is…but if you allow me, I will make 3 tries. If I’ll guess, please be honest and say it 🙂 If not, you’ll be marildi, as usual.
1) Thelma
2) Jennifer
3) Margaret

And it was obvious Dee’s post was in reference to the Norway comment. Even she didn’t deny that when I replied to that effect.

You actually don’t need to keep defending your guru and extolling his virtues. First of all, he doesn’t need defending – everybody can see who he is for themselves. And secondly, it’s so cultish of you. 😛

marildi: And it was obvious Dee’s post was in reference to the Norway comment. Even she didn’t deny that when I replied to that effect.

DeE: I commented to you in regard to your uncalled for (I thought) attack on Isene. I read your 2 responses I just said “I see ” to ack you. I have a limit on ‘mothering’ and ‘seriously make others wrong’. You explained about how the Budda liked being picked on or words to that effect and I say “thanks” to that.
Chris and all other who are out and called SP’s are very Special Persons and you and I won’t play the game with each other that you seem to like to do with Isene.

I will call it like I see it for all guru’s since they are generally wise men on a path who help people. Isene is one of many and I’m not jealous of his growing wisdom and large space.

Marildi, I have learned a lot from you as I did from my own mother and Scientology. Most important was how not to be, do or have. I only hope for you and others that some day you will be completely free from fear and suppression, an honest, open person some day soon. It really feels great and I’ve never been happier.
OSA has too many Major problems to now bother with the small stuff.

Chris: Sometimes it’s like kids joyriding in a car with paintballs, they just shoot anything that presents itself.

DeE: Chris I really like your whole post and agree with you about Isene. The kids in the joyride was cute and accurate. It’s like, why would you keep shooting the one who offers you free room and board? A strange condition, but interesting!

Most posters only use their first name, and I would too if it weren’t kind of uncommon and the CoS might spot it and give my friends a hard time. Anyway, I give you credit for not being concerned about names. To quote myself: “You can know them by their posts.” You know me as well as you would by any other name. Like I know you. 😉

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